The show starts unpacking the latest results from equipment hire company Ashtead (AHT). Mark Robinson analyses the outlook for US construction spending, the company’s sensitivity to tariffs and its valuation. It’s then on to Ashtead’s smaller rival Speedy Hire (SDY), which is closing some of its depots due to rising staff costs. Listen to find out everything investors need to know.

Next up is one of the IC's Ideas of the Year, which are putting in a strong performance again in 2025. Pensions consultancy XPS Pensions (XPS) reported full-year figures earlier this week – Julian Hofmann asks if its booming business can continue.

Lastly, our Big Read on the medical technology sector. Mark Robinson covers the issues facing the industry, the options for investors and a potential tariff winner.

Timestamps

1:50 Ashtead

9:20 Speedy Hire

18:29 XPS Pensions

27:36 Medtech

Read more on these topics:

Ashtead stymied by falling used equipment sales

Speedy Hire attempts to boost efficiencies as HMRC loads costs

The cutting-edge medtech stocks worth owning

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Relationships are an important aspect in anyone's life; a matter of the heart but also one for your bank account. In the second episode of Women and Wealth, a video podcast series from Investors' Chronicle, personal finance editor Val Cipriani and digital production journalist Madelaine Apthorpe look at what women should be thinking about as they find true love.

Val looks at how women can protect their personal finance in entering a relationship and the important things to take into account as you move through the relationship stages of moving in with your beloved, getting married and having children. Madi discusses with Val how you should split the bills, whilst asking about rental contracts and what support is offered with the likes of Lisas and other savings accounts.

Val also answers our reader's question about what financial considerations should be made as she weighs up getting married. Madi and Val look at whether married couple tax benefits offsets the ridiculous price of wedding flowers and how women can protect their personal finances as they enter into deeper financial ties with their partner.

Women and Wealth is a six part podcast series from Investors’ Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to Investors' Chronicle to get all your investing news and advice.

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Valeria Martinez begins the show by unpacking FirstGroup’s (FGP) results. Valeria and Dan explore how the renationalisation of rail franchises is affecting the business, the timeline for other franchise nationalisations and how the company looks compared with its peers.

Next, materials company Oxford Instruments (OXIG), which this week announced it was selling its quantum business for £60mn. Julian Hofmann looks at what it will focus on instead, its exposure to tariffs and more.

Last up, Alex Newman joins to discuss Blue Whale Growth holding Philip Morris (US:PM). It differs vastly from the fund’s typical tech holdings, and the tobacco company is now considered an ESG stock by some. Listen to find out the latest investment case.

Timestamps

1:46 FirstGroup

12:42 Oxford Instruments

21:38 Philip Morris and Blue Whale Growth

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